WORCESTER City hope to use their Dr Martens League Cup success as a springboard to greater things next season.

City lifted the trophy for the first time in 61 years last night, winning 4-1 on aggregate despite losing 1-0 at Crawley Town in the second leg of the final.

Now the target is to challenge for the Premier Division title and return to the Nationwide Conference.

Manager John Barton said: "It is going to be difficult to dampen expectations, but next year we want to be challenging. We haven't really contested the championship this season and that is the next stage.

"We have a cup competition to show for our efforts and we will now work hard and see if we can take it on from here."

Skipper Carl Heeley, who described the success as his best moment in seven years at the club, said: "It would be nice to carry this success on next year. We have gradually improved and we have thoroughly deserved this success."

Barton said of their cup success: "It means a lot to everybody connected with the club. We have lost the second leg, but the game is over two legs and we are absolutely delighted.

"It was always going to be hard tonight. Crawley were hurt by their first-leg performance and had the scent of revenge in their nostrils, but we have seen it off."

Barton also praised City's 200 travelling supporters, saying: "That underlines what we can attract if we give them something to come and see.

"To see them down here and supporting us as they did was tremendous. The fans have had some lean times over the last few years, and to give them something to smile about is just as rewarding."

Heeley said of the game: "We have had to come and work hard tonight.

"They have had a real go at us, but we have also had chances in the first 20 minutes and could have been two or three goals up ourselves."

City were not at their best on the night and had Crawley's finishing been better they could have had problems.

But the hosts wasted several gilt-edged opportunities.

Their best came seven minutes from time when goalkeeper Danny McDonnell made up for bringing down striker Dean Wordsworth by saving his tame penalty kick.

The only goal came on 27 minutes when a twice-deflected shot fell perfectly for skipper Luke Anderson -- the man sent off in the first leg -- to tap home from close range.

But City, driven on by the inspirational Heeley in midfield, could have stretched their lead further with Mark Owen twice missing gilt-edged chances and Martin Weir seeing two headers cleared off the line.

Worcester: McDonnell 7, Carty 6, Lutz 6, Greenman 7, Weir 7, Heeley 8, Cottrill 7, Ellis 6, Owen 6, Shepherd 7, Hyde 6. Subs not used: Woods, P. Wyatt, Joyce.

Star man: Carl Heeley.

Attendance: 644.